Franchise Notes
White Sox GM Ken Williams yesterday said that he "may not be able to make a big trade this season because of smaller crowds at U.S. Cellular Field." The team is averaging 26,147 fans this season, compared with 30,877 last year. Williams: "Money is more of the issue now. We expected a little more support than we've gotten. I think it's a reflection upon the economy of what's kind of happen[ed] with regards to attendance and I don't know if we've played consistent enough, or been exciting enough for people to get behind us. We're still hopeful." The White Sox averaged 20,814 fans during a three-game series against the Dodgers June 23-25, and Williams said, "We've been probably pretty short or a little aggressive in our projections and we might have to take a closer look at it, because, the Dodgers series was certainly an eye opener for us" (AP, 7/8).
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Road Attendance For WPS Games
Featuring Marta Are Up 20-30% |
SOL POWER: In a sports-section cover story, USA TODAY's Kelly Whiteside writes WPS L.A. Sol F Marta "has become this generation's" Mia Hamm. The WPS said that game attendance "rises by 20% to 30% when the Sol come to town." Marta has her "own Marta Maniacs cheering section at The Home Depot Center," and opposing teams "offer promotions in which fans can have their photograph taken with Marta after the game" (USA TODAY, 7/8).
DREAM WEAVER: In Atlanta, Chris Vivlamore notes the WNBA Dream, who are 6-7, have "already won more games this season than in their entire inaugural campaign" last year. Attendance is "down from 2008 with a decline in season-ticket holders," but group sales and walk-up attendance "is up." Dream President & CEO Bill Bolen, who "expects attendance to increase in late July and August," said, "Winning matters in Atlanta" (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 7/8).
BREAKING OFF TALKS: In San Jose, Tim Kawakami cited a source as saying that Warriors Owner Chris Cohan recently "engaged in serious discussions" with a buyer for the franchise, but "talks broke off when the final price couldn't be agreed to." The source said that Cohan "had all but agreed to sell the team" to one of the previously reported candidates before talks broke off. The exec added that it is "generally understood ... that Cohan is having 'severe financial problems'" (MERCURYNEWS.com, 7/7).
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